Which tractor to take to big hours?

[Fendtbro]

As above, which tractor or series of tractors would people recommend taking up into big hours? But also to consider is that as the machine gets on in age, how cost effective will it be to keep repairing computer controlled functions and exhaust aftertreatment systems? In my experience it's not if a part fails, it's when.. I am not talking to try and get to 10k hours and chop it in, i'm talking a zero replacement policy and running 20-30-40k hours then more.. Paint quality becomes a major factor to slow rust from destroying the cab (jcb are you listening) but to be honest all makes now are failing big time with paint finish.
The absolute best quality components are essential to avoid repeat failures and the machine must be straightforward to work on as a major stripdown every few years as bearings fail in the gearbox ect will soon see many models costing far too much in labour to keep ripping them apart! Fendt synchro box models are a good example of this.. The only machine I have experienced so far that seems to be able to go round and round the clock is the big Mb trac series, They are easy enough to repair with the box coming out and full stripdown in about 8 hours. No computers or complex wiring and nearly all controls are air powered so light to operate. Can any other tractors compete with this, thinking vario-cvx-autopower for rebuilt units and Zf front axles as they seem long lived.. Or is most stuff just disposable nowadays?

 

[Bob lincs]

8000 range Deeres

 

[holywell farmer]

John deere ten series often run to high hours

 

[Timbo]

Any if you are prepared to service them properly and refurbish / replace parts as necessary..

 

[Dave W]

Any if you are prepared to service them properly and refurbish / replace parts as necessary..

And put a sympathetic operator on the seat.
The man in the seat is usually the biggest killer of machinery

 

[shelly reynolds]

Had a JD 6810 11400 hr purchased at a year old swapped that
for 2 year old JD 6920S to just over 10000hr
now two 6930s one at a smidge over 16000 hr and the other at 10200 hr both had around 3000 hr on when purchased

 

[Boysground]

Sold a fendt 716 a couple of years ago. 21000 hours, is that enough hours?

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[Fendtbro]

Sold a fendt 716 a couple of years ago. 21000 hours, is that enough hours?

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That's good! I'm only at 17k hours with mine.. but I'm planning 40k hours plus. Thinking getting the cab frame galvanised to keep future rust at bay. Anyone at 30k hours plus?

 

[Fendtbro]

Any if you are prepared to service them properly and refurbish / replace parts as necessary..

Yea, but some just have weak areas that will fail repeatedly and the cost to sort each time might kill any savings by replacing. So far deere seem to be winning.. older ones!

 

[melted welly]

Everyone’s gonna laugh, but I’ve got a TM140 sitting on 13,500hrs and it’s barely had a spanner near it, other than to rectify operator error

 

[Will 1594]

And put a sympathetic operator on the seat.
The man in the seat is usually the biggest killer of machinery

that and regular service and grease .

and over how long are we putting the hours on , intensive veg farm where it does 2500 hrs a year on cultivatin and every hour is a hard one , or a friends ford 7000 that he uses to feed cows and is 50 yeSr old and still going and done over 15000 .
or the cumbrian legend 8340 that lived on a slurry pump for a big part of its life with 30 k hours on it

 

[Macsky]

Valtra 6000/8000 series would rank higher than JD I would say, pretty simple, pretty bombproof.

 

[Against_the_grain]

It's an intersting concept. In big mining operations it's common to run big bulldozers/dumpers to massive hours. They work hard, are serviced regularly, and undergo full rebuilds when needed.
It's obviously cost efficient as these guys are tight on thr figures. But they have fully equipped workshops, dedicated mechanics and main dealers who are geared up for full rebuilds.

I think in Ag the machines just aren't built to last. Farms aren't really equipped to carry out repairs and the main dealers certainly aren't set up to carry out full rebuilds (at least here in Europe).
It's a complete reversed concept but imo the machines in ag are built to fail, whereas in mining they are built to last and be rebuilt.
We have settled on changing regularly and keeping machines in warranty. We can't afford big repair bills or lots of downtime and aren't set up to repair tractors ourselves. Its either going to cost you in finance or repairs and I know what I'd prefer out of these two evils.

 

[Boysground]

There is only one tractor that’s is truly designed to last these hours. I’ve posted this before and starting at 640hp it may be slightly impractical

New Big Bud tractor builds on legacy design

Tractor’s modular powertrain provides an easy fix for customers

www.powerprogress.com

Having run my 716 to 21k hours i think that is heading towards the maximum that is economic. This tractor was doing the best part of 1000 hours a year mostly feeding my moos. Everyone thinks of the major issues gearbox/engine at the top of the list. My tractor did have a £15k rebuild on the engine but i did not spend anything on the gearbox. It’s the small stuff, rubber fuel lines the prime example they perish. It takes a lot of time to replace them and if you are using the tractor every day it’s a pain. Fendt electronics are robust ( not convinced on a gen 6) and i had few problems. The hydraulic system also started to cause issues. I wouldn’t worry about a galv cab it’s not worth it. Keep the money for small repairs

So i’m not convinced that running to 30/40 k hours is economic. I bought another 10k hour 716 S4 this time and hope to run that for a few hours I don’t think this one will make 20k but it’s a good tractor

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[Farmer Roy]

8000 range Deeres

I know of plenty of 8400s still going strong with well over 10000 hrs.
Even at 20,000 hrs, maybe an overhaul of the engine or trans, but still capable

early ( 7100 series ) Case Magnums here have also clocked up similar hours

this old 9260 ( 1992 yr model ) of mine has at least 17000 hours ( it might even be 27000 ) on it & I only bought it last year as my main tractor, to replace a much newer NHT8040 with less than 9000 hrs on it

 

[Farmer Roy]

It's an intersting concept. In big mining operations it's common to run big bulldozers/dumpers to massive hours. They work hard, are serviced regularly, and undergo full rebuilds when needed.
It's obviously cost efficient as these guys are tight on thr figures. But they have fully equipped workshops, dedicated mechanics and main dealers who are geared up for full rebuilds.

I think in Ag the machines just aren't built to last. Farms aren't really equipped to carry out repairs and the main dealers certainly aren't set up to carry out full rebuilds (at least here in Europe).
It's a complete reversed concept but imo the machines in ag are built to fail, whereas in mining they are built to last and be rebuilt.
We have settled on changing regularly and keeping machines in warranty. We can't afford big repair bills or lots of downtime and aren't set up to repair tractors ourselves. It’s either going to cost you in finance or repairs and I know what I'd prefer out of these two evils.

trucks - heavy HGV, semis, artics, whatever you want to call them - are the same. They rack up massive hours & km, engine rebuilds are part of scheduled maintenance & big transport companies also have large workshops, maintenance staff & direct lines to Cummins, Cat etc

 

[Pistonbroke]

Everyone’s gonna laugh, but I’ve got a TM140 sitting on 13,500hrs and it’s barely had a spanner near it, other than to rectify operator error

Years ago I was at a new Holland dealer and a TM drove in ,fitter said it had done 14500 hours of heavy work contracting. It had come in because the alternator had packed in working next door to the yard and it was the first thing to ever have gone wrong with it. I also saw a brand new one that the transmission had locked solid and wouldn't reverse off the delivery lorry to have it's pdi and had to dragged on skids into the workshop to be stripped with no hours on it. Friday specials are available in all colours shapes and sizes.

 

[trebornella]

Not agricultural, but this is how Cats are overhauled.

 

[davidroberts30]

As above, which tractor or series of tractors would people recommend taking up into big hours? But also to consider is that as the machine gets on in age, how cost effective will it be to keep repairing computer controlled functions and exhaust aftertreatment systems? In my experience it's not if a part fails, it's when.. I am not talking to try and get to 10k hours and chop it in, i'm talking a zero replacement policy and running 20-30-40k hours then more.. Paint quality becomes a major factor to slow rust from destroying the cab (jcb are you listening) but to be honest all makes now are failing big time with paint finish.
The absolute best quality components are essential to avoid repeat failures and the machine must be straightforward to work on as a major stripdown every few years as bearings fail in the gearbox ect will soon see many models costing far too much in labour to keep ripping them apart! Fendt synchro box models are a good example of this.. The only machine I have experienced so far that seems to be able to go round and round the clock is the big Mb trac series, They are easy enough to repair with the box coming out and full stripdown in about 8 hours. No computers or complex wiring and nearly all controls are air powered so light to operate. Can any other tractors compete with this, thinking vario-cvx-autopower for rebuilt units and Zf front axles as they seem long lived.. Or is most stuff just disposable nowadays?

Did you see profi a few months ago, rebuilt a fendt 820

 

[Oliveau]

I know of plenty of 8400s still going strong with well over 10000 hrs.
Even at 20,000 hrs, maybe an overhaul of the engine or trans, but still capable

early ( 7100 series ) Case Magnums here have also clocked up similar hours

this old 9260 ( 1992 yr model ) of mine has at least 17000 hours ( it might even be 27000 ) on it & I only bought it last year as my main tractor, to replace a much newer NHT8040 with less than 9000 hrs on it

Yes the American build Case tractors are pretty well bomb proof in the hands of a competent operator. Old now, but the 90 & 94 series followed by the Magnums were good places to spend a day with nothing too much in the way of electronics.